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Messed up facts in that story....was it a rifle or shotgun? Both are mentioned. Kid should have checked and double checked Mexi laws on guns before doing this. He trusted the US government (border agents) too much and now is left to fend for himself. The US state department should step in since they are partially at fault. Ultimately I blame the kid for not doing his homework.

Messed up facts in that story....was it a rifle or shotgun? Both are mentioned. Kid should have checked and double checked Mexi laws on guns before doing this. He trusted the US government (border agents) too much and now is left to fend for himself. The US state department should step in since they are partially at fault. Ultimately I blame the kid for not doing his homework.

He must have missed doing that research in between PTSD from his friend being killed in Iraq, serving our country, and doing the right thing by attempting to register his gun.

Damn, what a dumbass kid.

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Messed up facts in that story....was it a rifle or shotgun? Both are mentioned. Kid should have checked and double checked Mexi laws on guns before doing this. He trusted the US government (border agents) too much and now is left to fend for himself. The US state department should step in since they are partially at fault. Ultimately I blame the kid for not doing his homework.

Wonder if $5,000 cash and a quiet conversation over in the corner would solve this.

I feel bad for the kid, especially given all he's gone through. Jailing him when he declared it at the border crossing seems kinda excessive. Seems like if he's declaring it, the whole point is that he's asking permission to bring it into the country. They can refuse permission, confiscate it, tell him he's gotta return it to the US before he can enter or whatever. Jailing him for essentially asking permission sounds wacky to me.

Given the editorial tone of the article, I wonder if there are any key pieces of info being left out.

He must have missed doing that research in between PTSD from his friend being killed in Iraq, serving our country, and doing the right thing by attempting to register his gun.

Damn, what a dumbass kid.

Show me where PTSD makes it difficult to search laws, call authorities and make sure it is OK to transport and carry a firearm in a foriegn country. The fact that he was a soldier has nothing to do with what happened, so dont drag that into it.

I agree that he tried to do the right thing by registering the weapon (and commend him), but when dealing with touchy areas such as weapons, drugs and alcohol, you had better know your international laws if you want to transport legally across borders. But for the record, I dont think he should be in jail, given the facts in the story.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdyaman

How is the State Dept partially at fault?

The guy was told by US border agents/customs (trained by the US gov, maybe not the State Department directly) that he could do it and all he needed to do was register the gun, but did not go into details such as to be careful of the length of barrel, type of gun, etc. thats where the Mexi cops got him....Mostly though (from only reading the story), it seems like the Mexi gov is busting his balls. It IS a bad situation and I dont think he should be in jail.

The guy was told by US border agents/customs (trained by the US gov, maybe not the State Department directly) that he could do it and all he needed to do was register the gun, but did not go into details such as to be careful of the length of barrel, type of gun, etc. thats where the Mexi cops got him....Mostly though (from only reading the story), it seems like the Mexi gov is busting his balls. It IS a bad situation and I dont think he should be in jail.

So long as you realize State Dept and US Border Patrol are two separate agencies and State does not directly or indirectly train Border Patrol agents. State Dept's only role in this would be to mediate with the Mexican Govt to secure the release of the individual.

Wonder if $5,000 cash and a quiet conversation over in the corner would solve this.

I feel bad for the kid, especially given all he's gone through. Jailing him when he declared it at the border crossing seems kinda excessive. Seems like if he's declaring it, the whole point is that he's asking permission to bring it into the country. They can refuse permission, confiscate it, tell him he's gotta return it to the US before he can enter or whatever. Jailing him for essentially asking permission sounds wacky to me.

Given the editorial tone of the article, I wonder if there are any key pieces of info being left out.

I hope his family and the Consulate can get him out of there soon.

I agree. And the story is awfully edited. It says "A surfing trip to Costa Rica has turned into a nightmare for a Marine veteran, who has been thrown into a Mexican where he is regularly shackled to his bed..."

No matter what anyone says that does effect its credibility. Any other sources on this?

I agree. And the story is awfully edited. It says "A surfing trip to Costa Rica has turned into a nightmare for a Marine veteran, who has been thrown into a Mexican where he is regularly shackled to his bed..."

No matter what anyone says that does effect its credibility. Any other sources on this?

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, a Democrat from Florida, stepped in on Hammar's behalf, speaking to Mexico's ambassador to the United States. "We interceded to get him out of the general prison population," Nelson said.

This served to remove Hammar from contact with dangerous inmates.

The calls have since stopped, his mother said. "He is now being kept in a low ... intensity place, more like an administrative place," Nelson said.

But because of the low security of the new facility, which Olivia Hammar describes as a storage shed, officials periodically chain Hammar to his bed.

If that info is correct, it's disingenuous to try to rip the Mexicans for "chaining him to his bed".